Cao Bang Travel Guide: Vietnam’s Scenic Mountain Escape

Welcome to Cao Bang, a remote and majestic province nestled in Vietnam’s northeast mountains, near the border with China. As a local tour guide, I can confidently say that Cao Bang is a hidden gem filled with breathtaking waterfalls, mysterious caves, ethnic diversity, and rich revolutionary history.
 

If you’re looking to venture off the tourist trail, immerse yourself in natural beauty, and meet welcoming locals, Cao Bang is a destination you can’t miss.

📍 Where is Cao Bang?

Region: Northeast Vietnam

Distance from Hanoi: ~280 km

Access: 6–8 hours by road from Hanoi

Cao Bang shares a long border with China and features karst landscapes, dense forests, winding rivers, and minority communities including Tay, Nung, Hmong, and Dao people.

🌟 Why Visit Cao Bang?

✅ Home to Ban Gioc Waterfall – one of Southeast Asia’s most stunning waterfalls
✅ Explore Nguom Ngao Cave, ancient karst mountains, and hidden lakes
✅ Visit historical sites from Vietnam’s independence movement
✅ Immerse in traditional ethnic minority villages
✅ Hike, motorbike, or cycle along scenic mountain roads

🗺️ How to Get to Cao Bang

From Hanoi:

By Bus: ~7–8 hours from My Dinh Bus Station (sleeper buses available)

By Private Car or Motorbike: Ideal for adventure travelers

By Tour Package: Guided tours often include Ban Gioc and Nguom Ngao

Note: No airport or train service directly to Cao Bang – it's best accessed by road.

🏞️ Top Attractions in Cao Bang

1. Ban Gioc Waterfall

The most famous natural attraction in Cao Bang

Located on the Quay Son River, forming a border with China

30 meters high and 300 meters wide, it’s a tiered, multi-level cascade

Best visited during rainy season (June–October) for full flow

Bamboo rafts can take you closer to the falls for photos

2. Nguom Ngao Cave

Just 3 km from Ban Gioc Waterfall

One of the most beautiful limestone caves in Vietnam

Features dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and natural rock formations

The cave extends more than 2,000 meters (only ~1 km is open to tourists)

Name means “Tiger Cave” in the Tay language

3. Pac Bo Historical Site

Near the Chinese border in Ha Quang District

Where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked after returning to Vietnam in 1941

Visit Coc Bo Cave, Lenin Stream, and Karl Marx Mountain

A peaceful place of great historical significance for Vietnamese people

4. Thang Hen Lake System

A cluster of 36 lakes surrounded by lush mountains

Clear, turquoise water all year round

Ideal for peaceful boat rides and photography

Best visited in the early morning or late afternoon

5. Phia Oac – Phia Den National Park

Cao Bang’s top eco-tourism and hiking destination

Dense forests, unique wildlife, and rare herbs

In winter, Phia Oac is one of the few places in Vietnam to see snowfall

🛵 Best Experiences in Cao Bang

✅ Ride the Cao Bang Loop

Similar to the Ha Giang Loop but less touristy

Route: Cao Bang → Tra Linh → Ban Gioc → Nguom Ngao → Pac Bo → back

Ideal for motorbike travelers, but accessible by car or bicycle

Stunning scenery: karst cliffs, rice terraces, and rural villages

✅ Meet Ethnic Minorities

Home to over 95% ethnic population

Visit Tay stilt houses, Nung weaving villages, and Hmong farms

Cultural experiences include textile weaving, folk songs, and farming activities

✅ Trekking and Hiking

Trails around Pac Bo, Phia Den, and Thang Hen

Multi-day treks with local guides can be arranged

A great way to witness rural life and untouched landscapes

✅ Photography and Drone Exploration

Ban Gioc Waterfall at sunrise or sunset

Drone shots over the terraced fields and Thang Hen Lakes

Authentic market scenes and ethnic clothing

🍲 What to Eat in Cao Bang

Cao Bang’s cuisine reflects its mountainous lifestyle and ethnic diversity.

Must-Try Local Dishes:

Bánh Cuốn Cao Bằng: Steamed rice rolls served with pork broth

Lạp Xưởng: Smoked sausages flavored with honey and wine

Bánh Áp Chao: Fried sticky rice cake stuffed with pork or bean

Khâu Nhục: Slow-cooked pork belly with five-spice and taro

Mèn Mén: Corn-based food made by Hmong people

And don’t forget to try local rice wine (rượu ngô)—often homemade and strong!

🏨 Where to Stay in Cao Bang

In Cao Bang City:

Max Boutique Hotel – Clean, modern, centrally located

Jeanne Hotel – Budget-friendly, good service

Near Ban Gioc:

Sài Gòn – Bản Giốc Resort – Closest accommodation to the waterfall

Lan's Homestay – Authentic local stay, family meals and mountain views

Eco-lodges and Homestays:

Khuổi Ky Stone Village Homestays – Tay traditional houses made of stone

Thang Hen Lake Lodges – Peaceful lakeside retreat

🗓️ Best Time to Visit Cao Bang

Avoid rainy periods for easier travel on mountain roads.

🗓️ Suggested 3-Day Itinerary for Cao Bang

Day 1: Arrival and City Exploration

Arrive in Cao Bang city

Visit Pac Bo, Coc Bo Cave, and Lenin Stream

Overnight in Cao Bang city

Day 2: Ban Gioc and Nguom Ngao

Early drive to Ban Gioc Waterfall

Explore Nguom Ngao Cave

Visit Khuoi Ky Village and stay at a homestay

Day 3: Thang Hen and Return

Visit Thang Hen Lake and Phia Den forest

Enjoy lunch with locals

Return to Hanoi by evening

🧭 Travel Tips for Cao Bang

Cash is king – Very few ATMs outside Cao Bang city

Pack layers – Weather can change quickly in the mountains

Bring a raincoat – Especially in summer months

Travel by motorbike for the best views, but drive carefully

Hire local guides for deeper cultural understanding

📸 Best Instagram Spots in Cao Bang

Top of Ban Gioc Waterfall viewing deck

Inside Nguom Ngao Cave’s stalactite formations

Bamboo rafts floating on the Quay Son River

Misty mornings at Thang Hen Lake

Ethnic villages and rice terraces during harvest season

🏁 Final Thoughts

Cao Bang is a province of beauty, peace, and deep cultural roots. Unlike Vietnam’s more crowded tourist hubs, Cao Bang offers space to breathe, reflect, and connect—with nature, history, and people.

Whether you are an adventurer, photographer, or cultural traveler, Cao Bang will give you a unique and lasting impression. This is Vietnam, untouched.